Patents by Inventor Douglas J. Nielsen
Douglas J. Nielsen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20200408113Abstract: A rocker arm assembly comprises a valve side rocker arm portion, a cam side rocker arm portion configured to selectively rotate relative to the valve side rocker arm portion, and a latch pin assembly disposed in the valve side rocker arm portion and in the cam side rocker arm portion. A latch pin assembly is disposed for selective switching in the valve side latch bore and in the cam side latch bore. At least a portion of the latch pin assembly is configured so that when the latch pin assembly is selected to switch from a latched condition to the unlatched condition, and when the cam side rocker arm portion selectively rotates, the latch pin assembly is configured to retract from the forces of the rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Andrei D. Radulescu, Mark Van Wingerden, Douglas J. Nielsen
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Patent number: 10858963Abstract: An exhaust valve rocker arm assembly selectively opening first and second exhaust valves includes an exhaust rocker arm, an engagement capsule, a valve bridge operably associated with the rocker arm and including a main body, and a hydraulic actuator assembly disposed at least partially within an aperture formed within the main body. The hydraulic actuator assembly includes a first piston body and a second piston body disposed at least partially within the aperture formed in the main body. The exhaust rocker arm is configured to engage the valve bridge main body to engage the first exhaust valve, and the engagement capsule is configured to engage the hydraulic actuator to engage the second exhaust valve.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Douglas J. Nielsen, James E. McCarthy, Jr.
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Publication number: 20200224559Abstract: A combined exhaust and engine brake rocker arm assembly configured to selectively open first and second exhaust valves, includes a rocker arm body, an exhaust rocker arm assembly formed in the rocker arm body, and an engine brake rocker arm assembly formed in the rocker arm body and configured to operate in a collapse mode and a rigid mode. The exhaust rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively engage a valve bridge to open the first and second exhaust valves, and the engine brake rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively engage the valve bridge to open only the first exhaust valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: James E. McCarthy, JR., Douglas J. Nielsen, Kshamta Bishnoi
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Publication number: 20200208546Abstract: A system and method of controlling a cylinder deactivation mechanism can comprise executing a valve lift event configured to lift a valve via a rocker arm. The rocker arm can be configured with a controllable latch in a latched condition, wherein the controllable latch is configured with an edge that is clamped in a recess in the rocker arm during the valve lift event, a clamp force supplied in part by pressure from the valve lift event. A deactivation signal can be sent to select the unlatched condition to collapse the controllable latch from the recess while the controllable latch is configured in the valve lift event with the edge clamped in the recess. A subsequent valve lift event can have actuation deactivated by collapsing the controllable latch from the recess once the valve lift event is complete and the clamp force is removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2020Publication date: July 2, 2020Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: James E. McCarthy, JR., Douglas J. Nielsen
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Patent number: 10690024Abstract: An exhaust valve rocker arm assembly selectively opening first and second exhaust valves. The assembly includes an exhaust rocker arm and a valve bridge operably associated with the rocker arm and including a main body and a lever rotatably coupled to the main body. The main body is configured to engage the first exhaust valve, and the lever is configured to engage the second exhaust valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Inventors: Mark VanWingerden, Douglas J. Nielsen, Jr., James E. McCarthy, Jr.
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Publication number: 20200182098Abstract: A rocker arm assembly selectively opening first and second engine valves. The assembly includes a rocker arm and a valve bridge operably associated with the rocker arm and including a main body and a lever rotatably coupled to the main body. The main body is configured to engage the first engine valve, and the lever is configured to engage the second engine valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2020Publication date: June 11, 2020Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: James E. McCarthy, JR., Douglas J. Nielsen, Mark VanWingerden
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Patent number: 10626758Abstract: A combined exhaust and engine brake rocker arm assembly configured to selectively open first and second exhaust valves, includes a rocker arm body, an exhaust rocker arm assembly formed in the rocker arm body, and an engine brake rocker arm assembly formed in the rocker arm body and configured to operate in a collapse mode and a rigid mode. The exhaust rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively engage a valve bridge to open the first and second exhaust valves, and the engine brake rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively engage the valve bridge to open only the first exhaust valve.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Douglas J. Nielsen, Kshamta Bishnoi
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Patent number: 10619525Abstract: A diesel engine system, comprises a selectively actuated cylinder deactivation mechanism configured to lift and lower a valve and to deactivate actuation of the valve. A sleeve comprises a recesses. A controllable latch is movable between a latched condition to catch the latch in the recesses and an unlatched condition configured to collapse the latch from the recesses. A pushrod is coupled to the sleeve, the pushrod is configured to lift and lower the valve when the latch is in the latched condition. The pushrod is further configured to reciprocate inside the sleeve to deactivate actuation of the valve when the latch is in the unlatched condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2018Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: James E McCarthy, Jr., Douglas J Nielsen
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Patent number: 10563549Abstract: A friction loss management system for an engine, comprises a combustion engine comprising a crankshaft and a plurality of cylinders, a reciprocating piston assembly connected to the crankshaft, a fuel injector connected to an injection controller, an intake valve connected to an intake valve controller, and an exhaust valve connected to an exhaust valve controller. A control unit comprises at least one set of control algorithms configured to receive engine power demand data, and determine a number of cylinders of the plurality of cylinders for deactivation based on the received engine power demand data and further based on sensed or stored friction values for the plurality of cylinders. Determining the number of cylinders of for deactivation minimizes friction between the plurality of cylinders and their respective reciprocating piston assembly by selecting a cylinder combination of active cylinders and deactivated cylinders with the lowest total friction while meeting engine power demand.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: James E McCarthy, Jr., Douglas J Nielsen, Christian Cousin
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Publication number: 20200040777Abstract: An exhaust valve rocker arm assembly selectively opening first and second exhaust valves includes an exhaust rocker arm, an engagement capsule, a valve bridge operably associated with the rocker arm and including a main body, and a hydraulic actuator assembly disposed at least partially within an aperture formed within the main body. The hydraulic actuator assembly includes a first piston body and a second piston body disposed at least partially within the aperture formed in the main body. The exhaust rocker arm is configured to engage the valve bridge main body to engage the first exhaust valve, and the engagement capsule is configured to engage the hydraulic actuator to engage the second exhaust valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Douglas J. Nielsen, James E. McCarthy, JR.
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Publication number: 20200018197Abstract: A multiple-cylinder diesel engine system comprises an intake valve and an exhaust valve for each of the multiple cylinders. A valve control system is connected to selectively deactivate an intake valve and an exhaust valve for a selected cylinder. A fuel injection control system is connected to selectively deactivate fuel injection to the selected cylinder while increasing fuel to firing cylinders. The multiple cylinder diesel engine enters a cylinder deactivation mode whereby the valve control system deactivates the intake valve and the exhaust valve and the fuel injection control system deactivates the fuel injection to the cylinder while continuing to fire other cylinders of the multiple cylinder diesel engine. The valve control system selectively opens the deactivated intake valve to relieve a negative pressure condition in the deactivated cylinder. Alternatively, the valve control system opens the deactivated exhaust valve to relieve a negative pressure condition in the deactivated cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2017Publication date: January 16, 2020Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: JAMES E MCCARTHY, JR., Douglas J Nielsen
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Patent number: 10526934Abstract: A friction loss management system for an engine, comprises a combustion engine comprising a crankshaft and a plurality of cylinders, a reciprocating piston assembly connected to the crankshaft, a fuel injector connected to an injection controller, an intake valve connected to an intake valve controller, and an exhaust valve connected to an exhaust valve controller. A control unit comprises at least one set of control algorithms configured to receive engine power demand data, and determine a number of cylinders of the plurality of cylinders for deactivation based on the received engine power demand data and further based on sensed or stored friction values for the plurality of cylinders. Determining the number of cylinders of for deactivation minimizes friction between the plurality of cylinders and their respective reciprocating piston assembly by selecting a cylinder combination of active cylinders and deactivated cylinders with the lowest total friction while meeting engine power demand.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2018Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: James E McCarthy, Jr., Douglas J Nielsen, Christian Cousin
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Patent number: 10526928Abstract: A valve train assembly includes a rocker arm assembly, and axial shifting cam assembly, and a lost motion device. The axial shifting cam assembly is movable between a first axial position and a second axial position on a camshaft, the cam assembly having a first cam having a first lobe, and a second cam having a second lobe. The first and second lobes are configured to each selectively engage the rocker arm assembly to respectively perform a first and a second discrete valve lift event. The lost motion device is operably associated with the rocker arm assembly and configured to perform a third discrete valve lift event, distinct from the first and second valve lift events.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Philip William Wetzel, Douglas J. Nielsen, James E. McCarthy, Jr.
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Publication number: 20190390611Abstract: A system and method for cylinder deactivation in a multi-cylinder diesel engine comprises pumping air in to an intake manifold of the diesel engine using a turbocharger. Air is pumped in to the intake manifold using an intake air assisting device. And, fuel injection is selectively deactivated to at least one of the cylinders in the diesel engine. An intake valve and an exhaust valve is selectively deactivated for the at least one of the cylinders of the diesel engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2019Publication date: December 26, 2019Inventors: James E. McCarthy, JR., Douglas J. Nielsen
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Publication number: 20190338710Abstract: A multiple cylinder diesel engine comprising an intake valve and an exhaust valve for each of the cylinders; an intake manifold for distributing intake gases across the cylinders; an exhaust manifold; intake gas control devices configured to adjust the contents of the intake manifold; a valve control system connected to deactivate the intake and exhaust valves for a selected cylinder of the diesel engine; and a fuel injection control system connected to selectively deactivate fuel injection to the selected cylinder while increasing fuel to firing cylinders, wherein the diesel engine enters a cylinder deactivation mode in a selected cylinder whereby the valve control system deactivates the respective intake valve and the respective exhaust valve for the selected cylinder while continuing to fire other cylinders of the multiple cylinders, and the fuel injection control system deactivates fuel injection to the selected cylinder while adjusting fuel to the firing other cylinders.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2017Publication date: November 7, 2019Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: JAMES E. MCCARTHY, JR., Douglas J. Nielsen
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Patent number: 10465567Abstract: An exhaust valve rocker arm assembly includes an exhaust rocker arm and a valve bridge operably associated with the rocker arm. The valve bridge includes a main body and a lever rotatably coupled to the main body. The main body is configured to engage the first exhaust valve, and the lever is configured to engage the second exhaust valve.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Inventors: Douglas J. Nielsen, James E. McCarthy, Jr.
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Publication number: 20190277206Abstract: A method for controlling vehicle speed comprises selecting an engine speed profile for a vehicle. Road grade data is received and processed to determine a road grade for the vehicle. Vehicle speed data is received and processed to determine a vehicle speed for the vehicle. A cylinder deactivation mode for a valvetrain of a multi-cylinder engine of the vehicle is selected. The cylinder deactivation mode comprises deactivating one or more intake valve, exhaust valve, and fuel injection for one or more cylinder of the multi-cylinder engine. The selected cylinder deactivation mode provides a controlled deviation from the selected engine speed profile at the road grade and vehicle speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: James E. McCarthy, JR., Mihai Dorobantu, Douglas J. Nielsen, Brian Franke
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Patent number: 10358952Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster assembly constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a bucket and a hydraulic lash adjuster. The hydraulic lash adjuster is received in the bucket and has a body, a leakdown plunger and a socket. The leakdown plunger is received in the body. The socket is received by the leakdown plunger. The socket and leakdown plunger define a reservoir therebetween. The socket includes a gravity feed arrangement to feed fluid to the reservoir of the leakdown plunger.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2017Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Douglas J. Nielsen
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Publication number: 20190178168Abstract: A friction loss management system for an engine, comprises a combustion engine comprising a crankshaft and a plurality of cylinders, a reciprocating piston assembly connected to the crankshaft, a fuel injector, an intake valve, and an exhaust valve. A control unit comprises at least one set of control algorithms configured to receive engine power demand data, and determine a number of cylinders of the plurality of cylinders for deactivation based on the received engine power demand data and further based on sensed or stored friction values for the plurality of cylinders. Determining the number of cylinders of for deactivation minimizes friction between the plurality of cylinders and their respective reciprocating piston assembly by selecting a cylinder combination of active cylinders and deactivated cylinders with the lowest total friction while meeting engine power demand. All cylinders can be deactivated for purposes of coasting or controlling speed during platooning.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2017Publication date: June 13, 2019Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Douglas J. Nielsen, Brian Franke
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Patent number: 10240490Abstract: A rocker arm comprising a supply path that communicates with a first lash bore and a first spool bore. A spool is in the spool bore. A hydraulic lash device is in the first lash bore, wherein an outer body is configured to collapse during a first valve lift profile when receiving a low pressure fluid, and wherein the outer body and the inner body are configured to cooperate rigidly when receiving a high pressure fluid during a second valve lift profile. The spool is movable to a first spool position to align the spool notch with a first spool path and a second spool path, and the spool is movable to a second spool position to align the spool notch with the second spool path and an accumulator path. The supply path in to the rocker arm is the only source of fluid to the spool.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2017Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventor: Douglas J Nielsen